Effective November 10, Father Donald Clinton will become our pastor. Father has served as pastor of Saint Joseph Parish in Epping, NH for the last 8 1/2 years. Here's an exerpt from his letter to his current parishioners:
"On Wednesday November 10, I will become pastor of Our Lady of Fatima Church in New London, NH. I will also have a mission church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. Somehow, this is a Divine Appointment of sorts. Our world seems to be ever changing before our eyes. The Fatima Secrets call me to place myself under the mantle of Mary for my final earthly journey and priestly pastorate.
I am replacing a fabulous priest and homilist, Fr. Robert Biron. I will have big shoes to fill as his 19 years of dedicated service."
I am replacing a fabulous priest and homilist, Fr. Robert Biron. I will have big shoes to fill as his 19 years of dedicated service."
Mark your calendar for the weekend of November 13,14 as Father Don celebrates his first Masses with us. We welcome you Father Don!
A brief bio on Father Don:
Fr. Don was named pastor of St. Joseph, Epping NH in 2013, following Fr. Volney Derosiers who was reassigned to Pelham.
Born in Roslindale, Mass., he initially attended St. John College Seminary in Brighton, Mass., and then worked for the Kendall-Colgate Palmolive Company for 10 years. He re-entered his studies at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmetsburg, Md. Upon graduation in 1990 he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Manchester.
Fr. Clinton’s first assignment was to St. Joseph Parish in Salem. He has served at Immaculate Conception in Nashua and Sacred Heart parishes in Greenville and Wilton. In 1999 he became pastor of St. John in Concord and later was pastor of St. Bernard in Keene.
A hearing loss that started in high school progressed until one ear was completely gone and around 2010 he almost left ministry, unable to cope with the stress and demands of serving his parishioners using one aid. Cochlear implant surgery has restored 80-90 percent of his hearing and after taking some time off for recovery he returned to work, assisting in Hanover and Manchester.
This week we celebrate the Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Visit Sunday Connection for the readings, useful background and activities for the entire family to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.
This time between pastors presented an unexpected opportunity to complete some much needed updates to the living quarters and pastor’s office. The building that serves as a parish office and residence for the pastor is an 1880’s farmhouse that was last renovated in 1985. The living quarters consist of a living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry, two full baths and three bedrooms, totaling about 1800 square feet. Since the 80’s that area has been repainted once and carpeting was replaced in the living room/dining room, hall and two stairways.
In early July, the Building and Grounds Committee set about gathering estimates for painting, flooring, electrical work and plumbing. It quickly became apparent that only a general contractor could manage multiple service providers and complete the work in a very limited time frame. With Father Sartori’s OK, the Parish engaged Davonna Homes as general contractor, a locally known and respected company which had already managed the renovation of the kitchen at IC in 2017.
When completed, hopefully just in time for our new pastor, the living quarters will have hardwood flooring in living room/dining and hall, refinished cabinets in the kitchen along with new countertops, tile flooring in the kitchen laundry and baths, a step-in shower in one bath and new vanities in both baths, new carpeting in the three bedroom, and fresh paint throughout. The office has a fresh coat of paint and new carpeting is on the way.
Help a child. Become a CASA volunteer.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers make a life-changing difference for abused or neglected children. Volunteers are urgently needed NOW. You can provide a voice for a child in need. Register online today for a virtual info session on October 27 that will focus on the need for volunteers in the Upper Valley, Dartmouth, and Lake Sunapee Regions. Learn more and register at www.casanh.org/infosessions. If you register and are unable to attend, CASA will send you a link to the recorded session.
Join us on Thursday afternoons at 1:00 pm beginning October 21.
Come and explore the biblical roots of the Liturgy, what it means and why it all matters in this Ascension Press 5 session program. There will be a video to watch, a book to read and discussion questions that will deepen your love for and devotion to the Holy Eucharist.
Email carrierichters@gmail.com or call Carrie at 603 526 7795 with questions or to register and order the book.
Our Holiday Raffle drawing for cash prizes of $200 will be November 13. Buy your tickets now by returning the bottom of the Holiday Raffle letter with your check made out to OLF Raffle for how many tickets you would like to purchase $5 per ticket or $25 for 6 tickets. Drop your envelope into the collection basket or take it to the rectory. Raffle letters are available at the rectory and in the vestibules of OLF and IC. Thank you for supporting our parish.
The parish very much encourages your use of our E-giving system.
For more information visit our website. Thank you for supporting our parish.